The Eagles were formed at Los Angeles, California in 1971
Glen Frey ( Rhythm Guitar , Vocals ) Bernie Leadon ( Lead Guitar, other stringed instruments, back up Vocals ) Randy Meisner ( Bass, Vocals ) Don Henley ( Drums, Guitar, Vocals )
Their first hit was ” Take it Easy ” A Country Rock flavored song that went to number one in North America.
The band was a success from the start.
In 1974 the band added Guitarist Don Felder…a brilliant technical player.
By 1975 Bernie Leadon wanted to stay with the country influenced Rock but Glen Frey and Don Henley wanted more Rock and Roll. Bernie wasn’t satisfied with the direction and left the band that… he named.
That same year the band added Joe Walsh who had a decent solo career but he had a penchant for Drugs, drink and a habit of tossing sofas and TV’s out of Hotel Penthouse windows. He is still with the Eagles and he has cleaned himself up. It’s a good thing because he is a powerful guitarist.
By 1977 Bassist Randy Meisner did not want to sing the songs he was singing saying he had to sing so high it was killing his vocal chords. He had arguments with Glen and then left the band. He just retired.
Within a month the band added Tim Schmidt as Bassist and Tim could sing all of Randy’s songs and had a similar voice. It was a perfect match.
BY 1980 Glen wanted to go on his own and Don Henley wanted to do the same. Both had decent solo careers but not to the level of the Eagles.
The band broke up and for the next fourteen years the Eagles were a mainstay of Classic Rock and Country stations across the world.
Old fans and new generations of fans as well as the Record company wanted an Eagle tour.
In 1994 the band reformed with Glen Frey, Don Henley, Don Felder, Joe Walsh and Tim Schmidt.
The group went on a world wide tour, to sell outs and demands for more albums.
The Eagles were back to their former glory.
In 2002 Don Felder and Glen Frey were not getting along. Don left the group and then sued the band for money owed. Don wrote a book about his time with the Eagles and adds many insights into the troubles of the band.
” To Hell and Back ” … he says, his biggest regret is leaving the Eagles.
Today he produces and arranges songs for other artists.
The Eagles soldiered on until 2015 with Stuart Smith a session musician when they asked Bernie Leadon to rejoin the band. The band had asked Stuart to join the group but he said he liked being free to do as he pleased.
He still plays with the Eagles.
In 2016 Glen Frey passed away from Cancer, and his son Deacon Frey joined the band as an backup guitarist.
The lineup today consists Don Henley, Tim Schmidt, Joe Walsh, Bernie Leadon, along with Stuart Smith and Deacon Frey plus five other road musicians.
Go see a show , buy an album.
Enjoy
Leave a Reply